July 18, 2011

Dear Sir,

I recently returned from a lovely holiday in Bermuda with my 90-year-old father who lived there just after the war. It was spoilt in just one respect — by the Post Office.

In April I wrote two letters — one to you addressed thus:

The Editor

The Royal Gazette

Par La Ville Road

Hamilton

Bermuda

It enclosed a cutting from June 1946 detailing a cricket match between The Royal Navy and Saltus in which my dad saved the RN from an ignominious defeat! We had hoped that a small article in The Royal Gazette may result in dad meeting up with one or two of 'the schoolboys', now in their 80s and reading like a 'Who's Who of Bermuda'.

Over two months later the letter was returned stamped “Insufficient address”. During that time I just thought you weren't interested.

Similarly my second letter addressed to:

Mr F Littlejohn

Magnolia Hall

North Shore Road

Nr Flatts

Smith's Parish

Bermuda

was returned despite the detailed address, which spoiled a possible reunion with old friends. And my crime? No house number or postcode! As if the Post Office couldn't locate your office or one of the largest estates in Bermuda. In the UK a lack of postcode merely means the delivery takes a little longer. It would have been quicker to deliver them than all the fuss of returning them to me. Such 'jobsworth' decisions do Bermuda no credit. How was I meant to know this rule and how was I meant to know the numbers and codes?

Rant over — I'm writing to the Post Office too.

SUSANNA HETHERTON

United Kingdom

Ps Actually I would be most grateful if you could pass on this letter to the Post Office — I don't have their full address and the letter would probably be returned to me!